Come now, isn't life a little better with a pair of good shoes?

Hello
recorded in the Spring of 1985 Hello is essentially a blow by blow description of the events/evening of the We Are the World session, 4 The Tears In Your Eyes is the song Prince gladly wrote instead. Sheila E attended the We Are The World recording.
background vocals by Lisa Wendy & Jill Jones

1.28.1985 Prince & Jill Jones (w/Chick Huntsberry) downtown L.A. on the way 2 Carlos & Charles rest.

I was sittin' pretty with a beautiful friend ("Oh darling")
When this man tries 2 get in the car
("Hey Prince, come on, give us a smile, eh?")
No introduction, "How've U been?"
Just - "Up yours! Smile, that's right, U're a star!" (Star)

Sheila E attended the We Are The World recording.
background vocals by Lisa Wendy & Jill Jones

HELLO

Hello (Hello) Hello (Hello) {x3}
I tried 2 tell them that I didn't want 2 sing
But I'd gladly write a song instead
They said OK and everything was cool
Till a camera tried 2 get in my bed (Hello)
My bed (Hello) (Hello)

I was sittin' pretty with a beautiful friend ("Oh darling")
When this man tries 2 get in the car
("Hey Prince, come on, give us a smile, eh?")
No introduction, "How've U been?"
Just - "Up yours! Smile, that's right, U're a star!" (Star)

U call 'em bodyguards but I call 'em my friends
I guess I'm used 2 havin' 'em around
And cameras by nature like rewards
That's the trouble I get when I'm Uptown

I'm not afraid 2 die cuz I know there's a better place 2 go
(Don't be afraid cuz there's a better place 2 go)
I eat what I want, whole wheat toast
(U can eat what U want, anything is cool in moderation)
And I'm happy, and that's 4 sure

We're against hungry children, our record stands tall
But there's just as much hunger here at home
We'll do what we can if y'all try 2 understand
A flower that has water will grow
And a child misunderstood will go
Hello! {x3}
(Hello)

Everybody

robertgeorgeakabob said:

Listening to the 12 inch as I type. Some tight rhythm guitar going on.

I LOVE the 12"

This is a funky so and the rhythm guitar/guitar work is superb

this is one of those songs (the extended version) that whenever i listen to it,

it sparks a prince madness in me again and i get completely lost in all things

from this period. a definite highlight in his catalogue.

IstenSzek said:

this is one of those songs (the extended version) that whenever i listen to it,

it sparks a prince madness in me again and i get completely lost in all things

from this period. a definite highlight in his catalogue.

I know what U mean.

And this is one of my top 3 album eras 4 Prince

I'm so greedy for anything ATWIAD,

This song is another that reminds me of the crazy creativeness happening 1983-1986

Love this.

It's one of the best produced records of the era. Surprising considering it was rushed. I also love the fact that the 7" is not simply and edit, but a slightly different mix.

And the end to the 12"....sublime. One of Prince's most honest comments.

Still never sure about the wierd rumbling/bubbling bit that pops in throughout.

IstenSzek said:

this is one of those songs (the extended version) that whenever i listen to it,

it sparks a prince madness in me again and i get completely lost in all things

from this period. a definite highlight in his catalogue.

All the ATWIAD 12inch singles have something amazing going on.

Love this song! It has the '1999/Minneaopolis/synth' sound that you don't hear on the ATWIAD album.I went crazy when I first heard it

Marrk said:

IstenSzek said:

this is one of those songs (the extended version) that whenever i listen to it,

it sparks a prince madness in me again and i get completely lost in all things

from this period. a definite highlight in his catalogue.

All the ATWIAD 12inch singles have something amazing going on.

indeed, they do. they are truly special, all of them.

Extended Version

Everybody

Gotta he..., gotta he... he... hello!

I haven't lost my desire
I wouldn't beg U
Instead of playin' deduction of what 2 do
They called me rude often
When I called their hand
They judged me and told me that we're through
"Why can't U be like the others?"
I cried out over and again
"Why can't U learn 2 play by the rules?"
But maybe at last it's the end
Because I am not like others
I'm unique in the respect I'm not U

I know in my heart I would try 2 love U
I wouldn't try 2 hurt U despite all the ways U try 2 hurt me
U call me a fraud, an uncaring wretch
But I'm an artist and my only aim is 2 please
Between U and yours, myself and mine
Isn't life cruel enough without cruel words, cruel words?
U see, words are like shoes
They're just something 2 stand on
I wish U could be in my shoes
But they're probably so high, U'd fall off and die
4 U words are definitely not shoes
They're weapons and tools of destruction
And your time is boring unless U're putting something down
What would life be if we believed what we read
And a smile is just hiding a frown?
Come now, isn't life a little better with a pair of good shoes?

Marrk said:

IstenSzek said:

this is one of those songs (the extended version) that whenever i listen to it,

it sparks a prince madness in me again and i get completely lost in all things

from this period. a definite highlight in his catalogue.

All the ATWIAD 12inch singles have something amazing going on.

ATWIAD was the first Prince album I ever got when I was 13 y/o and I then got each of the 12 inches as they came out (which of course I then did ever since). So, besides the album & what had been on the radio up until that point, the b-sides were umong the first Prince music I ever heard.

Hello was just as fantastic to me as SAIMH had been on the previous 12 inch. I was finding out fast how amazing Prince's music was and as we know the albums and 12 inches that came out in the next few years were awesome!

3rdeyeboy said:

I also love the fact that the 7" is not simply and edit, but a slightly different mix.

And the end to the 12"....sublime. One of Prince's most honest comments.

Still never sure about the wierd rumbling/bubbling bit that pops in throughout.

and it has the repeat verse at the end that's not on the 12" version.

I was psyched to get that mix on CD when The Hits/B-Sides came out.

Especially because my original 7" record was torn up and raggedy from repeat plays!

-

[Edited 4/24/14 7:25am]

OldFriends4Sale said:

.

Prince with Scarlett Johansson, er, I mean Jill J.

I have a picture of Big Chick with the guy he 'handled', that night, have to find it...